14th February from the West Cliff Green, Bournemouth
A heavy mist has settled over the green. Not a swirling fog but a still, silent veil cloaking the distant views and softening the outlines of the trees. The bay is invisible and all that can be seen are the little waves at the tide’s edge. A crow calls four times and falls silent. There are no more birds to be heard or seen except for a pair of magpies and a raggedy bunch of pigeons pecking at the dew-laden grass. Later, the sun begins to warm the day. The sky is clear and blue and the mist begins to burn off.
From 14th February 2022
A cross over sort of a day. Blue sky with streaks and fluffs of white and gold edged cloud. The sun shines warmly. But the wind is bitter as though is has scalpeled straight down from the ice fields of Greenland. A dunnock sings bravely from a branch and all sorts of birds flit about in pairs. A mass of gulls assemble to be fed at tea time at the top of the steps and the din is deafening. They squeal and scream and fight hoarse with anger as if they had not been fed since last night. But the man with the little trolley is there as regular as regular. patience, gulls. Patience. #Bournemouth #westcliffgreen #February #springisonitsway
From 14th February 2021
A ferocious roaring surf and a mess of white water a hundred metres off shore. High up the sand a serrated line of weed shows how far up the waves are breaking. A stinging cold rain sweeps along the clifftop. At the water's edge a group of adults and children are enjoying the weather. Two small children are running backwards and forwards into the surf. The water crashing over their wellingtons. The adults continue their conversation and encourage the children to have fun. After all they are at the sea side for half-term and what could go wrong. Except that any of those vicious waves could knock the kiddies off their feet and they would be gone in an instant.
From 14th February 2014
Prodigious storm on West Cliff. Waves right up and over promenade at Durley Chine. Huge noise of surf and trees. Saddest of all is my twisted tree has succumbed to the gale. We shall see properly in the daylight.
